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Running Head: EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE PROPOSAL FINAL PAPER
Evidence-Based Practice Proposal Final Paper
Grace Umoren
Grand Canyon University: HCA-699
November 04, 2020
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Running Head: EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE PROPOSAL FINAL PAPER
Abstract
The psychological and behavioral effects on Service members of multiple deployments
and the mental health impact of serving in the combat settings of World War I and II, Operation
desert storm (ODS) and Operation Iraqi freedom (OIF), and the dangerous situations for long
periods in extreme environments are ongoing, growing, and urgent national concerns. Exposure
to deployment-related stressors is linked to Service members experiencing elevated rates of post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute anxiety disorder, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression,
and substance abuse disorders. Concerns have been raised about the safety and effectiveness of
prescription medication practices for these disorders on and off label treatment side effects,
medication misuse, polypharmacy including complementary and alternative medicine products,
and potential risks and impairments to combat readiness. Questions also have been raised about
the following: 1 trends in psychotropic prescription drug use among Service members; 2 the
availability of evidence-based practice guidelines for all line personnel encountering Service
members in need of psychological health services; and 3) the availability of and access to
properly trained mental health personnel in operational settings. The Department of Defense
(DoD) and its Service members have experienced 10 years of war with multiple risk exposures
over extended periods of time. Majority of Service members exhibit significant resilience in the
face of these challenges. However, prolonged exposure to stressors war-related and otherwise
over repeated deployments can exact a substantial psychological toll on even the most resilient
and experienced Service member, as well as on his or her family. It should not be surprising that
at this juncture DoD is witnessing an increase in treatment and care given for psychological and
behavioral health problems among Service members and their families. In addition to the
heightened fatigue and duress experienced by Service members from war stressors and
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Running Head: EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE PROPOSAL FINAL PAPER
deployment, those who care for them also are experiencing burnout and compassion fatigue.
There have been many efforts, some of which have been successful, to counteract stigma in the
military context specifically and in American culture overall. DoD already has taken many
actions to address psychological health issues in military personnel, ranging from requirements
for predeployment mental health assessment to policies pertaining to deployment-limiting
conditions and medications, to standards for medical fitness.
Running Head: EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE PROPOSAL FINAL PAPER
Evidence-Based Practice Proposal Final Paper
Grace Umoren
Grand Canyon University: HCA-699
November 04, 2020
, 2
Running Head: EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE PROPOSAL FINAL PAPER
Abstract
The psychological and behavioral effects on Service members of multiple deployments
and the mental health impact of serving in the combat settings of World War I and II, Operation
desert storm (ODS) and Operation Iraqi freedom (OIF), and the dangerous situations for long
periods in extreme environments are ongoing, growing, and urgent national concerns. Exposure
to deployment-related stressors is linked to Service members experiencing elevated rates of post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute anxiety disorder, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression,
and substance abuse disorders. Concerns have been raised about the safety and effectiveness of
prescription medication practices for these disorders on and off label treatment side effects,
medication misuse, polypharmacy including complementary and alternative medicine products,
and potential risks and impairments to combat readiness. Questions also have been raised about
the following: 1 trends in psychotropic prescription drug use among Service members; 2 the
availability of evidence-based practice guidelines for all line personnel encountering Service
members in need of psychological health services; and 3) the availability of and access to
properly trained mental health personnel in operational settings. The Department of Defense
(DoD) and its Service members have experienced 10 years of war with multiple risk exposures
over extended periods of time. Majority of Service members exhibit significant resilience in the
face of these challenges. However, prolonged exposure to stressors war-related and otherwise
over repeated deployments can exact a substantial psychological toll on even the most resilient
and experienced Service member, as well as on his or her family. It should not be surprising that
at this juncture DoD is witnessing an increase in treatment and care given for psychological and
behavioral health problems among Service members and their families. In addition to the
heightened fatigue and duress experienced by Service members from war stressors and
, 3
Running Head: EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE PROPOSAL FINAL PAPER
deployment, those who care for them also are experiencing burnout and compassion fatigue.
There have been many efforts, some of which have been successful, to counteract stigma in the
military context specifically and in American culture overall. DoD already has taken many
actions to address psychological health issues in military personnel, ranging from requirements
for predeployment mental health assessment to policies pertaining to deployment-limiting
conditions and medications, to standards for medical fitness.
